Courtesy Photo | Spc. John O. Scott, left, Bravo Co., 1-114th Infantry Battalion, and his father, Sgt....... read more read more
By Spc. Ralph Wood
50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
CAMP BUCCA, Iraq -- One New Jersey Guardsman doesn't have to worry about what his son is doing back home. His son is with him in Iraq.
Sgt. Robert Scott, 42, of Brick Township, N.J., joined the Army in 1985. He first was assigned as a military policeman with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. After his overseas assignment, he was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., where his son John was born.
Scott finished his active duty service there in 1991 and came back to New Jersey where he continued his career in law enforcement. He joined the New Jersey Transit Police in 1993. Missing the camaraderie of soldiering, Scott joined the New Jersey Army National Guard just as his father did during WWII as an infantryman in Foxtrot Company, 1-114th Infantry Battalion, 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
Scott's son, Spc. John O. Scott, grew up wanting to emulate his father since middle school.
While in Veterans Memorial High School in Brick Township, John followed his passion for the military by joining the school's Junior ROTC program and ascended to the rank of master sergeant. After graduating high school, John promptly joined the New Jersey Army National Guard.
Following Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning, Ga., John continued on to Infantry Advanced Individual Training, where he learned skills he would soon need. Shortly after joining Bravo Company, 1-114th Infantry Battalion, both father and son deployed to Iraq.
They met in Kuwait after training at Fort Bliss, Texas, together. While there, Sgt. Scott gave his son soldierly and fatherly advice.
"Stay focused and call home," advised the elder Scott. This is advice that he follows himself.
After Kuwait, father Robert forward deployed to Camp Bucca, assigned as a 50th Chemical Company member, while son John moved on to Camp Cropper.
While each has a serious mission of strategic importance, Robert still keeps a sense of humor when considering the mission benefit of serving with his son in Iraq.
"At least I know where he is and I know he's not driving my car," joked Robert.
The Scott family has a long tradition with the 42nd Infantry's "Rainbow" Division. Along with John, Robert's brother, Sgt. 1st Class William Scott deployed to Iraq from 2004 until 2005 with the 42nd Infantry Division at Camp Speicher.
"I am very proud to serve with my son, and I am very proud of his service," said Robert.
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.08.2009 06:23 |
| Story ID: | 28587 |
| Location: | UMM QASR, IQ |
| Web Views: | 209 |
| Downloads: | 150 |
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